Does 'designer' water improve health? Experts speak!

Welcome to the world of fancy (and weird) waters, which have been designed for those meticulous about their health and beauty. The latest one to be created is something called as Fat Water. Relax! It won't make you fat. It's simply purified water, which has been enhanced with fats from coconuts because of its health benefits.

There are various other kinds of fancy exotic waters which one can chug, if one is willing to shell out big money. We asked experts whether these 'designer H20' actually improves one's health significantly or if they are they merely a marketing gimmick.

Expert speak
Clinical nutritionist Pooja Makhija opines that these waters don't improve health directly. "Water is a free drink and people don't realise its value. Many people find water boring. These waters tickle them into drinking it. In this way, it may be beneficial," she says adding that this product is for the affluent class of people who will do anything for health. Does it hold nutritional value for the body? "It does not. The nutritional value is marginal. If you have two to three servings of fruits and vegetable daily, you don't need any infused water."

Meant for affluent people
Besides these 'weird waters', there are more varieties like water infused with aniseed, asparagus sticks, water with carbon sticks (to help remove impurities). Dr Behram Pardiwala, internal medicines consultant, Wockhardt Hospital, shares that some of his acquaintances who have travelled abroad, have taken to these infused waters. "At least, they're better than drinking colas. So there's no harm in them either. So if an affluent person takes a fancy to these waters and doesn't mind spending money on them, it's okay to do so. Otherwise, why waste money on these designer waters, just drink plain water and follow a healthy nutritious diet."

A marketing gimmick?
What about water infused with collagen? Would that literally act as a beauty drink and improve skin elasticity? Dr Satish Bhatia, MD (dermatology and skin surgery), Indian Cancer Society believes that all water types are good for collagen and skin. "Collagen waters have just been introduced in USA and they are not a replacement for collagen injections. They're still being researched by the USA FDA for their role in collagen synthesis. They are more of a fad, especially from the dermatology medicine point of view. Since more than 80 per cent of water consumed is flushed out by the kidneys, there is very little these products could do for collagen synthesis or skin tightening, practically speaking. I would not recommend these products personally, as it seems to be a marketing gimmick," he says.

Is this just a fad or a trend that's here to stay?
"The trend of these 'infused' waters will grow in the future, not because they're effective but because the health industry attracts millions of cash. Now it's an area with potential. Soon there will be 50 types of waters. However, this fad is a harmless one unlike fad diets. My advice is just drink enough water," says Makhija.

PAANI PAANI RE!
Twinkle Khanna
I have never heard of these waters! Neither would I like to try them. I am happy with good old water - both mineral and filter from the tap. I drink one-and-a-half litres of water every day.

Lisa Haydon
I drink regular water only. I am not into health/exotic water as they are packaged and preserved. I drink two litres of water every day.

Jacqueline  Fernandez
"I only have normal mineral water," she says. She always has a sipper with her. She ends up having 12 glasses of water daily.

Ekta Kapoor
I drink just regular or mineral water. I have never heard of these exotic waters!

Vivek Oberoi
I haven't heard or tried any of these exotic waters. But there's this new trend of alkalised water that's supposed to be amazing and a cure for a million things. I am curious about that for and for sure, would like to try it. It's like a filter system that alkalises regular water and improves Ph balance.

WEIRD WATERS
Melted water
It can be aptly described as a glam version of ice cubes. So what is it exactly? At Melt Water Original which is based in Lithuania, icebergs are created, which are later melted and bottled. Apparently, it tastes like puddle water! Sounds like a joke, right? However, this product won the Lithuanian Product of the Year 2013 Gold.

Fat water
This water is packaged in 10 ml single-serve packets that one adds to water. Bulletproof, the makers of this sugar-free product with a glycemic index of zero opine that it offers "a new kind of hydration so effective you can feel it". Guess you'll have to try it, to know what it feels like.

Spring water
Evian is perhaps, the most well-known of exotic bottled waters globally. The water is obtained from deep in the French Alps, where natural filtering creates some of the cleanest drinking water containing natural minerals.

Glacial water
Icelandic Glacial originates from the Olfus Spring in Iceland. This eco-friendly water is carbon neutral due to a filtration process that has occurred over thousands of years.

Black  water
This black-coloured water that might look like a flat cola, is nothing like cola. Far from it. Created in 2011, the label reads "Spring water enriched with Fulvic Acid" The fulvic and humic acids mineral mixture in the water is what lends it a black colour. The manufacturers of this product claim that black water contains about 70 minerals and trace elements.

Volcanic water
Waiākea water is filtered through the volcanic rock of Hawaii. This makes it one of the most alkaline waters available. The filtering process is said to enrich the water with electrolytes and minerals.

Collagen water
This one is more of a beauty drink rather than a health drink. How so? Collagen water contains a tiny amount of collagen. Another drink Skindale claims to boost the body's production of collagen, helping to keep the skin elastic.

Tree water
It's being sold under the name of Maple Water or Birch Water, and comes from the water obtained when a tree is tapped. The concept of tree water is not new. However, its marketing strategy is a recent one with it being hailed as containing 12 calories per 100 ml. That's barely any sugar, making it safe for diabetics.

WHAT HOLLYWOOD CELEBS DRINK
Angelina Jolie's favourite drink is Bosnian Rose Water.
Kelly Rowland doesn't like any other water besides Fiji Water.
Jaden Smith has been drinking distilled water for so long that when he drinks normal water, he feels like he's swallowing huge chunks of aluminum!
Miranda Kerr not only drinks alkaline water, she's got alkaline water filters in her kitchen sink and on her shower heads.
Jennifer Aniston drinks vapour-distilled electrolyte-infused Smartwater.